March 27, 2009

Skadden Sees Layoffs and Departures in D.C.

The firm cut 25 staff positions in the office for economic reasons this week, according to D.C. head Michael Rogan. No lawyers were included in those cuts, but they coincided with the departure of nine associates and two staff attorneys who left for new financial services boutique BuckleySandler, co-founded earlier this month by Andrew Sandler, formerly head of Skadden’s consumer financial services enforcement and litigation group.

Sandler initially brought only former Skadden partner Benjamin Klubeswith him when BuckleySandler opened March 20. He says the new additions are people who have practiced with him for as long as 19 years. Seven remain associates, one is now counsel, and two remain staff attorneys; former Skadden associateJonice Gray Tucker is a partner.

Tucker, who worked with Sandler and Klubes for eight years at Skadden, points out that nine of the new recruits are women and many, including herself, have small children or are about to start families. She says they were attracted to the new firm's commitment to work-life balance. In response, Rogan says Skadden provides a good environment for women, and says he's unsure how "a high-power practice," such as Sandler's, will be different.

Sandler partnered with Buckley Kolarto form the new firm. He says nearly all of his clients are coming with him. Another staff lawyer with Skadden and one lawyer currently with the federal government will join BuckleySandler next month, he says. The firm now has about 50 lawyers, and Sandler says there may be more hiring on the horizon.